More information - Bad Kleinkirchheim - Austria

Bad Kleinkirchheim, the famous home to one of ski racing's greatest ever names, Franz Klammer, is located in a sunny little valley in the midst of the Carinthian Nockberge mountains of southern Austria. The area has attracted visitors from times long past and well before recreational skiing was thought of, thanks largely to its thermal springs. There is the Römerbad with its fascinating water landscape and an open-air pool, steaming on cold winter days, which allows you to watch the skiers at the Kaiserburg downhill ski-run. Or, if you prefer a more quiet thermal experience, there is the newly renovated St. Kathrein spa, where many visitors relax in the radon-holding thermal water. Generally abbreviated to 'BKK', its a very attractive resort with some grand up-market buildings interspersed by numerous shops and restaurants. The atmosphere is generally quite cosmopolitan and with three five-star hotels and plenty of wealthy clients, there is always an international air about the place. However, it is Alps peaceful and magical, thanks in part to the creation of more than 20 'winter ghosts' - sculptures in wood that are frozen with ice and snow during the winter to make wonderful, changing artistic creations. Bad Kleinkirchheim is also a major centre for international mountain sports competition, including the Alpine World-Cup, the Snowboard World Series and even the European Mountain bike Snow Downhill Cup.